Federal Science Gets More Politicized

amigoro writes to let us know about the noise a group of scientists is making to call attention to Executive Order 13422, going into effect today, that gives political appointees final say regarding science-based federal agency regulations. The Union of Concerned Scientists wrote a letter to two Senate committee chairs urging that questions about this executive order be asked at the confirmation hearings for the nominee to head the Office of Management and Budget. "UCS urged the Senate committee to ask [the nominee] Mr. Nussle how he would ensure that political appointees would not interfere with the work of agency scientists." Late last month the House voted to prohibit the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs from spending federal money on Executive Order 13422. Democrats called the order a "power grab."

great

[Anonymous Coward]

Now that Mr President can control scientific results. A few simple changes to the laws of thermodynamics should solve all of our energy problems.

Mention Bush Three times

[Anonymous Coward]

Yes but do they mention Bush's name three times [slashdot.org] on every page of their letter?

This is really funny...

[Noryungi]

Especially when you remember that some of these political appointees were, shall we say, totally unqualified for any job, given their only major was in law from a fundamentalist christian "university". Read (or re-read): "Are We Rome? [salon.com]"

Dear Americans: please impeach that chimp already (I am trying to stay polite here).

Dear American Scientists: I hope you'll still be able to work at a (non-federal) University. Good luck.

Dear Slashdot Republican supporters: please don't bother answering this post. Thank you.

Re:So...

[Anonymous Coward]

We need to entice the other 99% with more reality shows and fried twinkies.

Re:Surprised?

[feepness]

Sometimes the greatest wisdom is to simply say, "I don't know, but this is my best effort, and I'm ready to be corrected."

I know. If only the other guys would say that more often, since they are always wrong.

Expecting our side to say that? Well, that's just plain ignorant!

Re:Optimist

[Spy der Mann]

No, voters are about 30% of the population, intelligent citizens are maybe 3% of the population, but you have yet to demonstrate that the intersection of the two sets is non-null.

The answer is simple. If you don't vote, don't count yourself as "intelligent".

Re:Control vs. Frameworks

[Anonymous Coward]

I disagree with the sentiment which you have expressed.

I am making note of your post mostly as a way to illustrate that, had I posted similar material, I would have been deluged with insults from HomelessInLajolla ranting "stalker", demanding identity, demanding personal information, and making any number of personal attacks on me throughout the course of his vitriol filled diatribe.

That he has responded to you illustrates that he has targetted me, deliberately and repeatedly, over the last six months to the exclusion of other users on this system expressing the same or similar points of view. This is direct evidence of harassment and stalking across an electronic medium.

Re:Optimist

[OakDragon]

We're trapped, and he's going to seize all of the power and make himself emperor.

Here's a challenge for you. If GWB does not step down on January 20, 2009, I will buy you breakfast. If he does step down, you will buy me breakfast.

We don't have to meet. I will gladly pay for your breakfast if you email me a copy of your receipt. I can send you a check, or PayPal funds, whatever you would like.

Be warned, I plan to eat a lot.

Re:Surprised?

[Anonymous Coward]

We're here. And we're going to get you!

Re:Optimist

[The Spoonman]

You're on. I look forward to purchasing your breakfast, but just know I'm going to eat for free! :)

Re:Surprised?

[jamstar7]

I second that. Occam was an apologist.

And Murphy was an optimist.

Re:Optimist

[VJ42]

None of this nonsense of voting for the 'lesser evil', the problem is, the lesser evil is STILL evil.

Why settle for the lesser evil, when you can vote for cthulhu [cthulhu.org]? ;)

Re:Optimist

[amRadioHed]

He will step down at that point provided he doesn't get himself assassinated while engaging in diplomacy in foreign lands.

While he should be pretty damn safe then considering his affinity for diplomacy.

Re:Optimist

[Hotawa Hawk-eye]

He will step down at that point provided he doesn't get himself assassinated while engaging in diplomacy in foreign lands.

Bush's greatest defense against assassination isn't the Secret Service. His greatest defense is that if he dies while in office, Dick Cheney becomes President.

Re:We are the corporate masters

[Anonymous Coward]

whose ordering the pizza

Your ordering the pizza.